The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s  Turning IntensiveFurniture Intensive, and Nine-month Comprehensive programs are approved for the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits.

To confirm your eligibility for benefits, call the Veteran’s Administration at 888-442-4551 or complete the VONAPP (Veterans on-line application for benefits).

Links to veterans affairs information

The Post-9/11 GI-Bill
Veterans on-line application for benefits application

Our Application Process

For the Furniture and Turning Intensives, all students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. See registration page for registration procedures, fees and deposits.

For the Nine-month Comprehensive, GI Bill beneficiaries should follow our standard application procedure, which can be found here.

To begin receiving your benefits, please forward a copy of your VA letter of eligibility to Dorrie Higbee at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship.

The best way to discover if the school is the right fit for you is to visit. Tour the facilities, meet others who are interested in the school, ask questions, and learn more about the school and the admissions process. We also welcome calls and e-mails. Write to cfc@woodschool.org or call 207-594-5611.

Refund policy for GI Bill Beneficiaries

The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship will provide a pro-rata refund of tuition for any student using the GI Bill (GI Bill Beneficiary) who chooses to withdraw from the course prior to the end date. The student must notify a certifying official at the Center, in writing, of the date of withdrawal. The refund is calculated based on the number of full instruction days remaining in the program after the receipt of this notification or after the actual date of withdrawal, whichever occurs later.

Standards of Academic Progress

Programs are pass/fail. Students are continually evaluated and provided with feedback by instructors. While all efforts are made by our staff to ensure student success, we reserve the right to academically dismiss students who are not meeting minimum standards for participation or safety. Students who are academically dismissed may not reapply for admission.

Credit for Prior Learning

In accordance with the requirements of 38 US Code, Section 3676(c)(4),the institution maintains a written record of the previous education and training of the eligible person and clearly indicates that appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately and the eligible person so notified. However, given the unitary curricular structure of our programs, it is unlikely that prior credit would be awarded.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Veteran Benefits recipients in our Furniture Intensive, Turning Intensive and Nine-month Comprehensive, Spring 2014
Veteran Benefits recipients in our Furniture Intensive, Turning Intensive and Nine-month Comprehensive, Spring 2014
Dmitri Norris, first student to use the GI Bill at our school, 2012
Dmitri Norris, first student to use the GI Bill at our school, 2012
Randy Howell, during the Nine-month Comprehensive
Randy Howell, during the Nine-month Comprehensive
Veteran Randy Howell (right) and instructor Tim Rousseau
Veteran Randy Howell (right) and instructor Tim Rousseau

“Of all the various benefits of woodworking and creative endeavor in general…[woodworking allows veterans] to look inside themselves, and through the hands, put on display what they uncover. Just as the maker’s imperfections will shine through as imperfections in the work, so will the qualities of patience, care, attention to detail and perseverance. These are all attributes that many veterans have in abundance and the craft allows them to be translated into beautiful objects of the highest quality. I believe this process of introspection could be hugely beneficial to veterans and likely therapeutic for those carrying the lingering effects of conflict. “

Randy Howell, Nine-month Comprehensive graduate, USMC